Adjustable mounting for slitting tool structures



July 28, 1959 K. BRENNER r-:rAL

ADJUSTABLE MOUNT-ING FOR SLITTING TOOL STRUCTURES Filed May 14, l195.7

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. //L PENA/E2 65e/MPO 6452/62' y www@ Cy" JL'A July 28, 1959 K BRENNER TAL 2,896,712

ADJUSTABLE MOUNTING FOR SLITTING TOOL' STRUCTRES Filed May 14, -1957 2 Sheetg-Sheet 2 www United Statt-S Ptttttt Cfttt Patented Jury 2s, 1959 ADJUSTABLE MOUNTING FOR SLI'ITING TOOL STRUCTURES Karl Brenner, Stuttgart-Weil im Dorf, and Gerhard Gabriel, Waiblingen (Rems), Germany, assignors to Trumpf & Co., Stuttgart-Weil im Dorf, Germany Application May 14, 1957, Serial No. 659,013

Claims priority, application Germany May 16, 1956 11 Claims. (Cl. 164-58) Slitting tools now known in the art, generally consist of a die and a matrix. The die is,- in most instances, provided with double-edged cutting knives which extend into a slot of the matrix. Heretofore, it has been customary to form the matrix in such a manner that the cutting edges were ground in a steel piece. The manufacture of such cutting tools is, however, relatively complicated and therefore expensive. In addition, the subsequent treatment of the cutting edges entails certain difliculties. Besides this, after a full employment of the cutting edges, the entire matrix becomes valueless and cannot be used any further.

In order to overcome these disadvantages, there is provided according to the invention a slitting tool with a matrix and die wherein the matrix consists of a holder with at least knives which are interchangeably aixed in the holder. The knives are formed as relatively simple plates provided with cutting edges, can be easily manufactured and may also be ground, if necessary. The holder can be indefinitely long used after a set of knives has outlasted its usefulness by replacing it with a new set.

` Preferably at least one knife which is adjustable in` a transverse direction to the cutting edge is employed,

so that the distance between the edges of the knife can be varied. Thus it is possible to adjust the width of the slots to the necessary requirements and to make an exact adjustment of the best possible air gap between the die knife and the matrix knife. A particularly favorable adjustment and attachment ofthe knives on the holder may be obtained through the employment of a hollow screw threaded sleeve shaped at one end as a slotted jaw and provided with a conical adapter and an adjusting screw engaging in the hollow screw threaded sleeve. The conical surface within the clamp device of the hollow screw is set in and clamps the second screw, which engages with the threads of the knife. Thus an accurate adjustment and a completely secure attachment of the tool may be achieved. Other means, however, may be employed to bring about such adjustment. Frequently, when slots of unusual width are required, both knives may be adjustably supported.

Preferably, there may be arranged in transverse direction to the cutting direction of both main knives a quired, the forward transverse knife which is disposed perpendcularly with respect to the direction of the cut-in edge becomes bent. The transverse knife must be withdrawn, otherwise further slitting operation will be interrupted. A Bowden traction cable or other remote control means may be employed to withdraw the transverse knife. The control means may be actuated electromagnetically or hydraulically.

During the slitting operation on larger plates, such remote actuation by means of a Bowden traction cable is of particular importance, since manual operation of that tool is practically impossible. It is preferred to dispose a further transverse knife behind the main knives, which may be interchangeable and cooperate with the rear edge formed as a cutting edge of the die.

VIn heretofore known tools the shaving has been cut off at the start but not at the end. In order to achieve this the shaving part had to be chiseled oi or had to be reoriented about with respect to the plate to be worked upon. Through the employment of the rearward transverse knife any shaving according to the present invention, may now be cut ot at its end so that the reorientation may be dispensed with.A

During the slitting operation there is normally created a metal or similar strip depending on the width of` the slot which Winds up and disturbs the slitting operation if the strip is not smoothed out. To overcome this disadvantage the invention further provides, as will be further explained, in the'direction of cutting, a take-off device or stripper ahead of the main knives. An accurate shaving operation is obtained if the4 main knives and the die are so shaped that the line of connections of the longitudinal cutting edges always meet in the middle plane between the main knives, whereby as seen in the direction of the cut, the cutting point for these lines of the main knives lies behind and for the die ahead of the main knives.

The above and other objects of the invention will become further apparent from the following detailed description, reference being made to the accompanying drawing, showing a preferred embodiment of the invention. t

In the drawings: t

Fig. 1 is a partly sectional view of a slitting tool em bodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan'view of the tool of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational 'View according to Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a section taken on lines 4-4 of Fig. 1 with the die in depressed condition; and

Fig. 5 shows in perspective the slitting tool of Fig. 1 inserted in a press (partly indicated). i p

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is disclosed a U-shaped holder or support 1 for the main knives or cutters 2, 3 which are firmly arranged thereon for interchangeability. Knife 2 is maintained in position by means of a threaded screw bolt l4, while a screw 5 serves to maintain knife 3 in an adjusted position. Screw bolt 5 passes through a hollow screw threaded sleeve 6, which is provided at its forward end as a slotted jaw or collet chuck 7. This jaw is engaged by a conical piece or taper adapter 8, which serves to spread or expand jaw or collet chuck 7.

By way of this construction a completely safe attachment of the knife 3 is achieved and a very simple knife adjustment may thus be had. In accordance with the required width of the slit to be obtained knife 3 may be displaced relative to knife 2, may approach the latter more or less or may be spaced from the latter. Arrow 9 indicates the cutting direction, in which ahead of the main knives 2 and 3 a transverse knife or cross cutter 10 is disposed, which is longitudinally displaceable.

This knife 10 is connected with a holder 11 with which is operatively connected a lever 12 and a spring attachment 13. In addition thereto a Bowden traction cable Fig. 2 and is then reinovedfrom both knives 2` and 3 ward movement.

' for cooperating A12 cannot any morel be suitable. The forward transverse or crossfknife serves the purpose of producing a particular sharp notch or incision.

A,In-order to v,cut off the end of the chip a rearward transverse knife 15 is provided, which is interchangeably Varranged and can be held in place by means of a screw attachment (not shown), The rearward transverse knife 15 cooperatesV with the rearward cutting edge 22 of the stamp or punch 16.

The slitting tool may be employed for cutting through .entire plates, as well as for obtaining individual slits .or slotted cut-outs.

In this way the punch or stamp 16 which is formed with cutting edges at its lower lend is moved downwardly, whereby, prior to the engagement with the'plate or workpiece, the transverse forward knife 10 is positioned as seen in Fig. 2. Due to the notching Aor incision of the stampi a strip of material will be cut out, whereupon the stamp or punch 16 moves again up wardly, while the transverse knife 10 performs a side- For smoothing the strip as seen in the direction 9 of the cut the tool is provided with a stripper device 23.

A particular good chip iiow is attained when the main knives 2 and 3 and the punch 16 have, as seen in Fig. 4,

a configuration and shape, so that the lines of prolongation 17 of thelongitudinal cutting edges 18 of the punch 16 meet in the median plane 19 between the main knives -2 and 3, as seen'in the cutting direction 9 and forwardly Vof the aforesaid main knives 2 and 3. Meeting or intersection of the linesof prolongation 20 of the cutting 'edges 21 of the knives 2 and 3, as seen in the cutting direction rearwardly of knives Z and 3, also takes place at the median plane 19.

The toolhereinabove described may be employed for slitting as well as punching sheet metal of different dimensions and gauges Yand further plates or sheets made of plastics or plastic compositions.

The lnovel tool device affords the cutting of said slits or cutouts defined by smooth edges, which cutting operation may bev achieved economically, speedily and accurately and may be carried out by unskilled labor.

Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present Vinvention and it is intended that such obvious changes Vand modifications be embraced by the annexed claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed -as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

1.- A slitting tool for cutting a sheet made of metal and similar material, comprising in combination, a die member and a matrix member, said matrix member including a knifeaholder, a pair of spaced main knives in said holder disposed in substantially longitudinal direction -of a slit to be cut in said sheet, one of said main knives being firmly secured in said holder, the other of said `main knives being spacedly adjustable with respect to said one main knife, means in said matrix member for adjusting said other main knife relative to said one main knife, a first transverseknife laterally displaceable in said l matrix and disposed forwardly of the cutting direction of said slitting tool, means associated with said first transverse knife for slidably and laterally displacing same, and

.a second transverse knife in said matrix arranged rear- Iwardly of said pair 4of longitudinally disposed main knives, saiddie member being formed with a cutting edge with said rearwardly disposed transverse knife. Y

p 2.AV slitting tool for cutting a sheet made of metal '4 and similar material, comprising in combination, a die member and a U-shaped matrix member formed with parallel spaced side portions, a solid portion and an expandable, internally threaded, jaw portion, said matrix member including a knife-holder, a pair of spaced main knives in said holder disposed in substantially longitudinal direction of aslit to be cut in said sheet, one of said main knives being firmly secured to said solid portion, the other of said main knives having a screw threaded aperture and being adjustably secured to said jaw portion, means in said jaw portion for adjusting said other main knife relative to said one main knife, said means comprising a tapered, internally threaded spreader member extending into said jaw portion, an internally and externally threaded sleeve member engaging with said threaded jaw portion, and a screw bolt threadedly en gaging with said threaded aperture of said other main knife, said spreader member and said internal threads of said sleeve member. Y

3.l A slitting tool for lcutting a sheet made of metal and similar material, comprising in combination, a die member and a U-shaped matrix member formed with parallel spaced side portions, a solid portion and an expandable, internally threaded, jaw portion, said matrix member including a knife holder, a pair of spaced main knives in said holder disposed in substantially longitudinal direction of a slit to be cut in said sheet, one of said main knives being firmly secured to said solid portion, the other ofl said main knives having a screw threaded aperture and being adjustably secured to said jaw portion, means in said jaw portion for adjusting said other main knife relative to said one main knife, said means comprising a tapered, internally threaded spreader member extending into said jaw portion, an internally and externally threaded` sleeve member engaging with said threaded jaw portion, a screw bolt threadedly engaging with said threaded aperture of said other main knife, said spreader member and said internal threads of said sleeve member, a first transverse knife laterally displaceable in said matrix and disposed forwardly of the cutting direction of said slitting tool, means associated with said first transverse knife for slidably and laterally displacing same, and a second transverse knife in said matrix arranged rearwardly of said pair of longitudinally disposed main knives, said die member being formed with a cutting edge ,for cooperating with said rearwardly disposed transverse knife.

4. A slitting tool for cutting a Sheet made of metal, plastic and similar material, comprising in combination, a die member, a matrix member, said matrix member including a knife holder, at least a pair of spaced main knives in said holder and disposed in substantiallylongitudinal direction of a slit to be cut in said sheet, means iixedly securing one of said pairs of main knives in said holder Vand means connected to said knife holder for adjusting the other of said main knives relative to said one of said main knives.

5. A slitting `tool for cutting a sheet made of metal, plastic and similar material, comprising in combination, a die member, a matrix member, said matrix member including a knife holder, at yleast a pair of spaced main knives adjustably secured with respect to one another in said holder and disposed in substantially longitudinal direction of a slit to be cut in said sheet, means connected to said knifer holder for adjusting one of said main knives yrelative to theother main knife, and at least one transw verse knife being arranged for movement relative to the 'longitudinal direction of a slit to be cut in said sheet, said one transverse knife being located ahead of said main knives.

6. A slitting tool for cutting 'a sheet made of metal, plastic and similar material, comprising in combination, a die member, a matrix member, said matrix member knives adjustably secured with respect to one another in said holder and disposed in substantially longitudinal direction of a slit to be cut in said sheet, means connected to said knife holder for adjusting one of said main knives relative to the other main knife, and at least one transverse knife being arranged for movement relative to the longitudinal direction of a slit to be cut in said sheet, said one transverse knife being located rearwardly of said main knives.

7. A tool according to claim 5, and means operatively connected to said transverse knife disposed ahead of said main knives for laterally displacing the same relative to the longitudinal slit direction.

8. A tool according to claim 7, including spring means in said matrix' member associated with said transverse knife, said spring means normally maintaining said transverse knife in the longitudinal slit direction of a sheet.

9. A tool according to claim 6, wherein said rearwardly disposed transverse knife is adjustable with respect to said die member for cooperation therewith.

10. A tool according to claim 8, including `a stripper member secured to said tool, said stripper member being disposed in the direction of said main knives.

1l. A tool according to claim 10, wherein the main knives and the die member are arranged in such a manner that the lines of prolongation of the longitudinal cutting edges of the die member meet in the median plane between the main knives and forwardly thereof, and the lines of prolongation of the cutting edges of the knives meet in the median plane rearwardly of said die.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

